Identification and selection of the source of electric power

ABSTRACT

Information indicating a source of electric current can be received alongside or detected within the electric current itself, enabling recipients to identify a source of their electricity. The information may be determined based on analysis of the received electric current, such as by detecting a modulated carrier signal embedded within a received alternating current.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to electric power, and more specifically,to enabling identification of a source of electricity.

Electric power, electric cars, etc. may often be considered “green” orenvironmentally friendly, particularly when compared to fossil fuels.However, electric power can come from many different types of sources.For example, a significant amount of the electricity generated todaycomes from burning coal. Other sources also exist, such aswaste-to-energy facilities, etc.

The flow of electricity may include several entities. Typically,electricity is generated at a source, such as a power plant or station.The electricity is then transmitted (using the electric grid) to an enduser (such as a home, business, etc.), possibly via one or moreintermediaries such as a substation.

SUMMARY

Some embodiments of the present disclosure can be illustrated as amethod. The method comprises receiving a first electric current. Themethod further comprises detecting a first upstream source identifierembedded in the first electric current. The method further comprisesidentifying, based on the first upstream source identifier, a firstsource of the first electric current. The method further comprisesdetermining, based at least on the identifying, that the first electriccurrent is not acceptable. The method further comprises and indicating,to an end-user based on the determining, that the first electric currentis not acceptable.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure can also be illustrated as acomputer program product comprising a computer readable storage mediumhaving program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructionsexecutable by a computer to cause the computer to perform the methoddiscussed above.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure can be illustrated as asystem. The system may comprise memory and a central processing unit(sometimes referred to herein as a “CPU”). The CPU may be configured toperform the method discussed above.

The above summary is not intended to describe each illustratedembodiment or every implementation of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings included in the present application are incorporated into,and form part of, the specification. They illustrate embodiments of thepresent disclosure and, along with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the disclosure. The drawings are only illustrative ofcertain embodiments and do not limit the disclosure. Features andadvantages of various embodiments of the claimed subject matter willbecome apparent as the following Detailed Description proceeds, and uponreference to the drawings, in which like numerals indicate like parts,and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a source-identifying electric power distributionsystem according to several embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates an electric power generation method including sourceidentification consistent with several embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates a source-identifying electric power distributionmethod consistent with several embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates a source-discriminating electric power consumptionmethod according to several embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a high-level block diagram of an example computersystem that may be used in implementing embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternativeforms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in thedrawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood,however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to theparticular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is tocover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling withinthe spirit and scope of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods to tracksources of electric power. More particular aspects relate to a method togenerate, distribute, and receive electric power and a source identifierdescribing a type of the electric power.

Some energy consumers may care about the source of their electricity;for example, users may wish to avoid electricity originating fromsources they may not consider environmentally friendly such as coal ornatural gas, instead preferring electricity from traditionally “green”sources such as solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, etc.

An example electric power grid may be divided into two levels ofsupply—a transmission level and a distribution level. The transmissionlevel generally refers to transmission of electric power in the form ofelectric current (typically at a relatively high voltage) from powerplants to substations. A power plant may generate and supply power(energy over time) and allow a substation to draw from the plant's powersupply. The distribution level refers to distribution of electric powerin the form of electric current (typically at a relatively lowervoltage) from substations to end users.

Throughout this disclosure, reference is made to “electric power,” oneor more “electric power streams,” and “electric signals.” As usedherein, “electric power” is essentially synonymous with “electricity,”referring to the manipulation of electric potential for the purpose oftransferring energy over time (power). As an example, a coal power plantmay burn coal in order to generate electric power (also referred toherein as generating electricity).

An “electric power stream” is used herein to refer to a specific load,or a transfer of electricity/electric power/electric energy over time.For example, a wind power plant and a coal power plant may both generateelectric power, but each generates independent electric power streams.Typically, a power plant generates electric power and transmits some orall of that electric power to one or more substations (via an electricpower stream transmitted along, for example, one or more powertransmission lines) to each substation.

For example, a first coal power plant may generate around 500 megawatts(MW) of electric power. That first coal power plant may transmit the 500MW to accommodate the demands of three independent substations. This maybe accomplished via, for example, three electric power streams—the plantmay transmit a first electric power stream including 200 MW to a firstsubstation, a second electric power stream including 250 MW to a secondsubstation, and third electric power stream including 50 MW to a thirdsubstation. To be clear, a second example coal power plant may generatearound 550 MW of electric power and distribute that 550 MW through asingle electric power stream of 550 MW to a sole substation. Note alsothat substations may receive electric power streams from multiplesources (e.g., power plants, other substations, etc.).

Throughout this disclosure, reference is made to “source identifiers” aswell as “embedding” the source identifiers into electric current. Asused herein, a “source identifier” refers to a signal that contains datalabeling a source of electricity. Such a signal may be embodied as anelectric current.

Since electric power is also distributed in the form of electriccurrent, a source identifier current can be combined with, or “embeddedwithin,” the electric power current. In some embodiments, the sourceidentifier current may simply be added to the electric power current. Aresulting combined electric current may have the electric energydemanded by users in addition to “carrying” the source identificationdata.

Alternating Current (AC) power is typically transmitted as a sine wave,square wave or triangle wave. Minor variations in such a wave (such asto period, amplitude, etc.) may be added. For example, a wiring systemmay be configured to combine an input current (such as an AC current)with a modulated carrier signal to encode source identificationinformation. The variations may have a negligible impact on the ACcurrent for purposes of power transmission but may be detected by adownstream recipient and decoded to reveal source identificationinformation.

To transmit electric power, an entity (such as, for example, a powerplant, substation, etc.) may acquire a first electric current andprepare a downstream electric current based on the first electriccurrent. For example, a power plant may “acquire” a first electriccurrent by generating it (e.g., via burning coal, a wind turbineturning, etc.). A substation may “acquire” a first electric current byreceiving it (such as from a power plant or a different substation).“Preparing” a downstream electric current, as used herein, refers to,for example, filtering, modulating, or otherwise modifying the firstelectric current. In some embodiments, “preparing” a downstream electriccurrent includes embedding a source identifier, as described in furtherdetail below.

A source identifier may be an “upstream” or “downstream” sourceidentifier. As used herein, an entity (such as, for example, asubstation) receives upstream source identifiers and generates/transmitsdownstream source identifiers. Thus, if a first entity generates asource identifier and transmits it to a second entity, that sourceidentifier is both the first entity's downstream source identifier andthe second entity's upstream source identifier.

Electric power is transmitted through the use of electric current. Aswill be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, electric currentmay be transmitted in the form of alternating current (AC) or directcurrent (DC), and may be subjected to one or more operations such asfiltering, modulation, etc. Each electric power stream may take the formof electric current. A substation receiving multiple electric powerstreams may distribute incoming electric power by generating an“aggregate” electric power stream (in the form of a generated electriccurrent). Thus, multiple inputs may be combined into a single output.

The term “power plant,” as used herein, refers to an electric powergenerating facility (sometimes referred to in the art as “powerstations,” “generating stations,” etc.). A “source” of electric power,as used herein, refers to an originating power plant of that electricpower. For example, if Wind Plant X transmits 50 MW to an end user, the“source” of that 50 MW would be “Wind Plant X.” A “type” of electricpower refers to a general category of the source of the power; in thepreceding example, the “type” of the 50 MW may simply be “wind.” In someembodiments, “type” may be more generalized (e.g., “green” vs. “notgreen” or “local” vs “not local” rather than “wind” vs. “coal”), may be“unknown” or “mixed,” may be represented as a numerical value (e.g. from0 to 1, with 1 referring to “renewable” and 0 referring to“nonrenewable”), etc.

Throughout this disclosure, reference is made to one or more “sourceidentifiers” generated and/or transmitted in the context of electricpower. As used herein, a “source identifier” includes data describingthe source and/or type of electric power. For example, Wind Plant X maytransmit 50 MW of electric power to a substation via one or moreelectric power streams in the form of one or more electric signals, butmay additionally transmit a source identifier “alongside”(contemporaneously with, or even embedded within) the electricsignal(s). The source identifier may describe that the electric signaloriginates from “Wind Plant X,” that the source of the electric signalis a “wind” type of source, or both. A recipient of the electric signal(such as, for example, a substation or end user) may detect the sourceidentifier and take one of a variety of actions (depending upon, forexample, the information included and/or encoded within the sourceidentifier, settings of the recipient's electric system(s), etc.). Forexample, a substation receiving solely “wind-type” power may, whendistributing the power to an electric grid, generate a downstream sourceidentifier to pass along the information that the power is from a windsource. In some embodiments, the downstream source identifier may beless specific (for example, may simply indicate that the power is“green,” not specifically that it is of “wind-type”). In someembodiments, the substation may simply relay the received sourceidentifier.

Throughout this disclosure, reference is made to “downstream” electriccurrents. As used herein, an entity (such as a power plant, asubstation, etc.) may prepare a downstream electric current and transmitthe downstream electric current to a recipient (such as a substation, anend-user, an electric grid, etc.).

FIG. 1 illustrates a source-identifying electric power distributionsystem 100 according to several embodiments of the present disclosure.System 100 is depicted in the context of a simplified, linearapproximation of an electric grid. System 100 includes power plants suchas wind plant 102, coal plant 104 and hydroelectric (hydro) plant 106(collectively “power plants 102-106”). Each power plant may produceelectric power according to its principles of operation. Some powerplants may, for example, operate by rotating a turbine within a magneticfield, which creates an electric current. In FIG. 1, for example, windplant 102 may include a turbine connected to one or more blades that arerotated by atmospheric wind. Similarly, coal plant 104 may burn coal togenerate steam that pushes a turbine, and hydro plant 106 may connect aturbine to a wheel that is turned by naturally flowing water.

Power plants 102-106 transmit electric power to one of three examplesubstations, including substation A 122, substation B 124, andsubstation C 126 (collectively, substations 122-126). As illustrated,wind plant 102 transmits wind power stream 112 to substation A 122. Coalplant 104 transmits a first coal power stream 114 to substation B 124and a second coal power stream 115 to substation C 126. Finally,hydroelectric plant 106 transmits hydroelectric power stream 116 tosubstation C 126. The electric power streams generated by power plants102-106 are collectively referred to as “streams 112-116.”

Notably, one or all of streams 112-116 may be transmitted alongsidesource identification information. For example, prior to transmittingpower to substation C 126, hydroelectric plant 106 may modify theelectric signal of its electric power stream in order to embed asource-identification signal therein. Thus, hydroelectric power stream116 may include a source identifier. In some embodiments, this sourceidentifier may be a simple alternating current sine wave, where afrequency of the sine wave is agreed to correspond to a particularsource. For example, a source identifier at 25 Hz may be agreed upon tocorrespond to a hydroelectric plant, a source identifier at 30 Hz may beagreed to correspond to a coal plant, etc.; thus, the electric currenttransmitted in hydroelectric power stream 116 may include an embeddedsource identifier current at 25 Hz.

In some embodiments, source identifier information may be transmitted“outside” of the electric signals themselves. For example, in someembodiments, a power plant such as wind plant 102 may broadcast a radiofrequency signal indicating how much power it is transmitting and whereit is transmitting the power to. In other words, wind plant 102 maybroadcast a signal that describes wind power stream 112 as being of a“wind” type. Substation A 122 may receive this broadcast in addition tostream 112 and determine that stream 112 includes wind power. Notably,such a broadcast may also identify that substation A is the solerecipient (directly or indirectly; a broadcast may include an exhaustivelist of recipients, which may be anonymized via an encoded identifier,etc.). Thus, even if substation B 124 detects the broadcast, substationB 124 is able to identify that the broadcast does not refer to stream114 and therefore is protected from misinterpreting stream 114 as beingof a “wind” type. In some embodiments, the source identifier may bebroadcast to a predetermined group of recipients, such as a group ofrecipients in a geographic service region. For example, a power plantmay broadcast the source identifier to every substation in a givenradius of the plant itself, or to a group of homes in a suburb of anearby city, etc.

When receiving streams 112-116, substations 122-126 are configured todistribute electric power to one of commercial user 142, residentialuser 144, and government user 146 (collectively, “users 142-146”). Forexample, substation A 122 may transmit electric power stream 132 tocommercial user 142, substation B 124 may transmit electric power stream134 to residential user 144, and substation C may transmit electricpower stream 136 to government user 146. Electric power streams 132, 134and 136 are collectively referred to herein as “streams 132-136.”

One or more of substations 122-126 may generate and/or broadcast adownstream source identifier alongside or embedded within itscorresponding electric power stream. For example, substation B 124, uponreceiving an upstream source identifier indicating that stream 114 is acoal power stream, may generate a downstream source identifierindicating that power stream 134 originated from a coal power plant andtransmit it to residential user 144. In other words, substation B 124may relay the source identification information to residential user 144,such that residential user 144 may be informed that electric powerstream 134 is a coal-type electric power stream. In some embodiments,the downstream source identifier transmitted by substation B 124 may besubstantially identical to the upstream source identifier thatsubstation B 124 received from coal plant 104. In some embodiments,substation B 124 may simply rebroadcast or otherwise “pass along” theupstream source identifier received from coal plant 104. In someembodiments, substation B 124 may generate its own downstream sourceidentifier; for example, substation B 124 may receive a radio frequencybroadcast signal from coal plant 104 identifying stream 114 as acoal-type stream, and in response, substation B 124 may embed adownstream source identifier into electric power stream 134 to identifyelectric power stream 134 as originating from a “non-green” source.

Notably, substations may receive electric power streams from multipledifferent sources. For example, in system 100, substation C 126 receivesstream 115 from coal plant 104 and stream 116 from hydroelectric plant106. Substation C 126 may detect multiple upstream source identifiers(for example, a first upstream source identifier from coal plant 104identifying stream 115 as coal-type power and a second upstream sourceidentifier from hydroelectric plant 106 identifying stream 116 ashydroelectric-type power). In response, in some embodiments substation C126 may generate a downstream source identifier to be transmittedalongside power stream 136 to government user 146 based on both upstreamsource identifiers.

In some embodiments, a downstream source identifier may includeinformation identifying multiple different sources of an electric powerstream. In some embodiments, a downstream source identifier may simplyidentify that an associated electric power stream “includes” electricpower generated by more than one source. In other words, in someembodiments the downstream source identifier may describe stream 136 as“coal/hydroelectric”-type power, while in some embodiments thedownstream source identifier may describe stream 136 as “mixed”-typepower.

In some embodiments, a downstream source identifier may include aproportion of different types of power or power originating fromdifferent sources. This may be based on, for example, an amount of powerreceived from each source and corresponding upstream source identifiers.For example, substation C 126 may receive 80 MW from hydroelectric powerplant 106 (e.g., stream 116 may transmit 80 MW of power and beaccompanied by a first upstream source identifier identifying stream 116as hydroelectric-type power) and substation C 126 may also receive 240MW from coal plant 104 (e.g., stream 115 may transmit 240 MW of powerand be accompanied by a second upstream source identifier identifyingstream 115 as coal-type power). Substation C 126 may be configured toleverage this information to generate a downstream source identifier toidentify that electric power stream 136 is “25% hydroelectric and 75%coal.”

In some embodiments, some power plants may not distribute sourceidentifiers, or they may be lost/undetected/filtered out, etc. This mayoccur for a variety of reasons; older power plants may not be fittedwith the means for generating and/or transmitting source identifiers, anoperator of the power plant may refuse to transmit a source identifier,a source identifier may be transmitted in a format unintelligible to anintended recipient, etc. Thus, in some embodiments a substation may notbe able to determine the exact makeup of its sources. For example,substation C 126 may receive 80 MW of hydroelectric power in the form ofstream 116 from hydroelectric plant 106, along with an upstream sourceidentifier indicating stream 116 as hydroelectric, but may also receive240 MW of electric power from coal plant 104 without an accompanying,associated, or otherwise corresponding upstream source identifier. Insuch a situation, substation C 126 may only be able to confirm thatstream 116 is of a hydroelectric type. Thus, in generating a downstreamsource identifier to transmit alongside stream 136 to user 146,substation C 126 may label stream 136 as “25% hydroelectric, 75%unknown.” In some embodiments, stream 136 may simply be labeled“unknown,” “unknown mixture (at least 25% hydroelectric),” etc. Whilethe examples described herein refer to mixtures as percentages, otherformats of source identifiers are fully considered herein (such as, forexample, including specific magnitudes of power streams; e.g., “80 MWhydroelectric, 240 MW unknown,” etc.).

Note that the varying substations, users, plants etc. depicted in system100 of FIG. 1 are selected for exemplary purposes only; as will beunderstood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the concepts describedabove could be applied to different combinations and/or layouts of anelectric grid. In some embodiments, a substation may distribute power toone or more other substations. In some embodiments, a power source maytransmit electric power directly to an end user.

FIG. 2 illustrates an electric power generation method 200 includingsource identification consistent with several embodiments of the presentdisclosure. Method 200 may be performed by a power source, such as apower generating station/power plant (for example, one of power plants102-106 of FIG. 1). Method 200 includes generating electricity atoperation 202. Operation 202 includes causing a power generator togenerate electric current. The specific nature of operation 202 maydepend upon the configuration/“type” of power source performing method200. For example, operation 202 may include causing a furnace to burncoal in order to heat/boil water, wherein the steam from the water maypush a turbine, causing it to rotate, generating electricity. As anotherexample, operation 202 may include unlocking, reorienting or otherwiseallowing a propeller to be rotated by atmospheric wind, turning aturbine, and thus generating electricity.

Method 200 further includes generating a downstream source identifier atoperation 204. Operation 204 may include, for example, selecting a styleof source identification to implement (such as, for example, RFbroadcast, internet upload, or directly embedding a source identifierinto an electric signal). For purposes of FIG. 2, the “direct embedding”style is assumed to have been selected. Operation 204 may furtherinclude generating data to be included in the source identifier. Forexample, if a system performing method 200 is a coal plant, operation204 may include accessing a standardized database to identify anidentification code corresponding to a coal power plant. In someembodiments, operation 204 may include generating a downstream sourceidentifier that describes a “type” of power to be transmitted (e.g.,coal, wind, “green,” “fossil fuel,” etc.). In some embodiments,operation 204 may include generating a downstream source identifier tospecifically identify the system performing method 200 (e.g., “Acme CoalPlant, 123 E Broadway St.”). Combinations of the above are alsoconsidered herein. Operation 204 may hash, encrypt, and/or otherwiseobscure the information to be transmitted in the downstream sourceidentifier using one or more known methods (e.g., secure hash algorithm256 (SHA 256), etc.).

If the electricity is to be transmitted to more than a single recipient(as in, via multiple output streams), operation 204 may further includegenerating downstream source identification information to be embeddedwithin each output stream. For example, if a solar power plant is totransmit 50 MW along a first path to a first recipient and 75 MW along asecond path to a second recipient, operation 204 may include generatinga first downstream source identifier to be transmitted along the firstpath and/or to the first recipient indicating “50 MW solar” and a seconddownstream source identifier to be transmitted along the second pathand/or to the second recipient indicating “75 MW solar.” In someembodiments, the downstream source identifier may indicate additionalinformation such as, for example, proportion of total power generated(e.g., “75 MW out of 125 MW total, solar”), peak possible output (e.g.,“75 MW out of 125 MW current total. 175 MW maximum; 50 MW available,solar”), total energy generated (e.g., “75 MW, solar—750 GJ so far”),intended recipient (e.g., 75 MW to substation D, solar”), etc. As willbe understood by one of skill in the art, combinations of the above arealso considered.

Method 200 further includes embedding the downstream source identifierinto the electric current at operation 206. Operation 206 may include,for example, preparing a downstream electric current by adding a carriersignal encoding the downstream source identifier to the electric currentor otherwise combining the downstream source identifier current to/withthe received electric current into a combined electric current. Thus,the electric current also carries data regarding the source of theelectricity.

Method 200 further includes transmitting the combined downstreamelectric current at operation 208. Operation 208 may includetransmitting some or all of the generated electric power to one or morerecipients, such as substations, end users, etc., as described withreference to operation 204, above.

In some embodiments, operation 208 may further include emitting one ormore radio frequency (RF) broadcasts to transmit data corresponding tothe downstream source identifier(s). In some embodiments, operation 208may include uploading the downstream source identifiers to the internet,such as to one or more (possibly cloud-based) servers. Combinations ofthe above are also considered; in some embodiments, operation 208 mayinclude uploading a downstream source identifier to a server electricsignal and broadcasting the same downstream source identifier via RF. Insome embodiments wherein more than one output stream is transmitted atoperation 206, operation 208 may include embedding a first downstreamsource identifier into a first downstream electric signal, embedding asecond downstream source identifier into a second downstream electricsignal, and broadcasting the second source identifier via RF.

In some embodiments, a power generating station may be in communicativecontact with one or more recipients. A source identifier may betransferred via or based on this communicative contact. For example, afirst substation may specifically “request” that source identificationinformation be embedded in an electric signal, while a second substationmay request that the source identifier be broadcast via RF. Of course, athird substation may request that the source identification informationbe transmitted across the same communications link used to submit therequest in the first place.

FIG. 3 illustrates a source-identifying electric power distributionmethod 300 consistent with several embodiments of the presentdisclosure. Method 300 may be performed by an “intermediary” such as anelectric power substation, relay, etc. (such as, for example, one ofsubstations 122-126 of system 100). Method 300 includes receivingelectricity from one or more sources at operation 302. Operation 302 mayinclude, for example, receiving a first electric power stream (includinga first electric current) from a first power plant or even from anotherintermediary. Operation 302 may further include determining at least amagnitude of power received via the electric power stream (e.g., 200 MW,30 MW, etc.).

Method 300 further includes detecting a upstream source identifier(s) atoperation 304. Operation 304 may include, for example, receiving an RFbroadcast, accessing an internet database (or receiving a notificationfrom an internet-based server), or detecting, as a result of performingsignal analysis, an embedded upstream identifier signal in the electriccurrent itself. The upstream source identifier(s) detected in operation304 may include information describing the source of one or more of theelectric power stream(s) received at operation 302. In some embodiments,a first upstream source identifier may include a magnitude of powertransmitted, enabling a system performing method 300 to verify that thefirst upstream source identifier applies to a first electric powerstream.

Method 300 further includes generating a downstream source identifier atoperation 306. Operation 306 may include, for example, generating adownstream source identifier based on the upstream source identifier(s)detected at operation 304. As an illustrative example, a first upstreamsource identifier may indicate that a first electric power source(having a magnitude of 30 MW) is “solar,” while a second and a thirdupstream source identifier may indicate that corresponding second andthird electric power streams (having magnitudes of 100 MW and 400 MW,respectively) are “coal.” In such an example, operation 306 may includegenerating a downstream source identifier to indicate that an electricpower stream to be output by the system performing method 300 includes30 MW of solar-sourced power and 500 MW of coal-sourced power. Ifmultiple outputs are to be distributed, multiple downstream sourceidentifiers may be generated at operation 306. However, while multipledownstream source identifiers may differ in some ways (“style,”formatting, magnitude, etc.), the distribution of sources may generallybe the same for each downstream source identifier, as described infurther detail below.

In some embodiments, only a single (“first”) upstream source identifierand/or electric power stream may be received. In at least some suchembodiments, operation 306 may simply include copying or otherwisereplicating the first upstream source identifier received at operation304. In some embodiments, operation 306 may simply be skipped (forexample, if the sole upstream source identifier is embedded in the soleelectric current, then an output electric current may already includethe appropriate source identification information). In some embodiments,even if only a single upstream source identifier is detected, operation306 may still include generating an independent downstream sourceidentifier. For example, in some embodiments the upstream sourceidentifier detected at operation 304 may indicate that a source of theelectric power is “Acme Geothermal.” However, rather than includingsource identification information reflecting this, operation 306 mayinclude generating a downstream source identifier labeling the electricpower simply as “green.” If the first upstream source identifier isembedded in the signal, in some embodiments it may be filtered out (via,for example, one or more bandpass filters, etc.).

In some embodiments, operation 304 may not successfully detect anupstream source identifier associated with every electric power stream.If one or more upstream source identifiers are missing, operation 306may include labeling or otherwise identifying at least a “portion” of anoutput electric current as “unknown.” Note that while a systemperforming method 300 may (re)distribute received electric power tomultiple recipients via outputting multiple electric power streams(possibly having different magnitudes of power), the “mixture” of sourceinformation aggregated at operation 306 may be constant between them. Inother words, if a substation receives 75 MW of coal and 25 MW of solarpower (100 MW total), the downstream source identifier generated atoperation 306 may label all output electric power streams as “75% coal,25% solar”). Thus, even if the system outputs 30 MW to a firstrecipient, 25 MW to a second recipient, and 45 MW to a third recipient,all three outputs may be labeled as “75% coal, 25% solar” (or similar).

Depending upon configuration of the system performing method 300,separation of sources may not be possible. In other words, the systemmay not be capable of controlling the output in order to send “all 25 MWof solar” to the second recipient. However, the system may be capable ofmonitoring changes to the upstream source identifiers and updating thedownstream source identifier accordingly in real time. For example, ascircumstances change, a solar plant's output may drop dramatically (suchas when the sun goes down). Thus, power consumption may be weighted farmore heavily in favor of coal, etc. This may be reflected in upstreamsource identifiers showing shifting magnitudes of power beingtransmitted, and operation 306 may further pass this information alongby updating the downstream source identifier.

Method 300 further includes embedding the downstream source identifierinto the electric current at operation 308. Operation 308 may include,for example, preparing a downstream electric current by adding a carriersignal encoding the downstream source identifier to the electric currentor otherwise combining the downstream source identifier current to/withthe received electric current into a combined electric current. Thus,the electric current also carries data regarding the source of theelectric power.

Method 300 further includes distributing electricity with the embeddeddownstream source identifier at operation 310. Note that operation 310may include distributing multiple electric power streams (to multiplerecipients). However, the “source” (or “makeup,” “distribution,”“proportions” etc.) of the multiple electric power streams, asidentified by the downstream source identifier generated at operation306, may be constant for each output stream. Operation 310 may includedistributing electric power via an electric grid to one or morerecipients. Recipients may include, for example, a substation, anend-user (such as a residential user, commercial user, etc.), etc. Asthe downstream source identifier is combined into the electric current,operation 310 includes distributing the downstream source identifier aswell.

In some embodiments, a system performing method 300 may further transmitthe downstream source identifier(s) via other means. For example, thesystem may emit one or more radio frequency (RF) broadcasts to transmitdata corresponding to the downstream source identifier. In someembodiments, the system may upload the downstream source identifiers tothe internet, such as to one or more (possibly cloud-based) servers.Combinations of the above are also considered; in some embodiments, asystem performing method 300 may upload the downstream source identifierto a server and broadcast the same downstream source identifier via RF.In some embodiments wherein more than one output stream is transmittedat operation 310, operation 308 may include embedding a first downstreamsource identifier into a first downstream electric current and embeddinga second downstream source identifier into a second downstream electriccurrent, while the system performing method 300 may further broadcastthe second downstream source identifier associated with the secondelectric current via RF.

In some embodiments, a system performing method 300 may be incommunicative contact with one or more recipients. A downstream sourceidentifier may be transferred via or based on this communicativecontact. For example, a first recipient (such as a substation) mayspecifically request that source identification information be embeddedin an electric signal, while a second recipient (such as, for example, acommercial user) may request that the downstream source identifier bebroadcast via RF. Of course, a third recipient (such as, for example, aresidential user) may request that the source identification informationbe transmitted across the same communications link used to submit therequest in the first place.

FIG. 4 illustrates a source-discriminating electric power consumptionmethod 400 according to several embodiments of the present disclosure.Method 400 may be performed by, for example, a device connected to in anend-user's electric system, such as a “smart outlet,” “smart meter,”“smart charger,” a bank of batteries or capacitors, etc. Method 400includes receiving electricity at operation 402. Operation 402 mayinclude, for example, receiving a first electric power stream (includinga first electric signal) via, for example, an electric powertransmission line. In some embodiments, operation 402 may furtherinclude determining at least a magnitude of power received via the firstelectric power stream (e.g., 5 kW, 50 W, etc.). Method 400 may furtherinclude determining whether the any source identifier(s) can beidentified at operation 404. Operation 404 may include, for example,performing signal analysis on the received electric signal to search forembedded source identification information, determining whether a radiofrequency antenna has received an RF signal including sourceidentification information, polling an online server to determinewhether source information is included thereon, etc.

If a source identifier is detected (404 “Yes”), method 400 furtherincludes indicating the sources of the received electricity at operation406. Operation 406 may include, for example, illuminating one or morelights corresponding to a breakdown of the source(s) of the receivedelectricity, causing information regarding the source(s) of the receivedelectricity to be depicted on one or more displays, emitting a sound,etc.

As an example, in some embodiments wherein method 400 is being performedby a “smart outlet” of a residential home, the smart outlet may beequipped with one or more source indicator lights, such as a red,yellow, and green lights (such as light-emitting-diode, or LEDs). Asystem performing method 400 may control a state (e.g., “on,” “off,”“25% brightness,” etc.) of one or more of these source indicator lightsbased on the identified source. If the received source identifierindicates that the electricity received at operation 402 is 100% solar,the smart outlet may cause the “green” source indicator light to beilluminated. If the received source identifier indicates that theelectricity received at operation 402 is 100% coal, the smart outlet maycause the “red” source indicator light to be illuminated. If thereceived source identifier indicates that the electricity received atoperation 402 is a mixture (e.g., if portions of the electricityoriginate from different sources, such that the electric currentreceived at operation 402 is a composition from a plurality of sources)or unknown, the smart outlet may cause the “yellow” source indicatorlight to be illuminated. Other configurations and settings are alsopossible and fully contemplated herein, as would be understood by thoseof ordinary skill in the art.

As another example, in some embodiments method 400 may be performed by asmart meter. The smart meter may be equipped with a display, whereinoperation 406 may include causing the display to depict a “breakdown” ofthe sources of the electricity received at operation 402.

As an additional example, in some embodiments operation 406 may includesending a signal or message to one or more devices. For example, asystem performing method 400 may cause a notification to be sent to anend-user's mobile device, send an email, transmit an identity of thesource to an Internet of Things (IoT) network such as a smart home, etc.

Method 400 further includes determining whether the source(s) of theelectricity received at operation 402 are “acceptable” at operation 410.As used herein, a user or administrator of a system performing method400 may be enabled to configure and/or specify which sources ofelectricity to accept vs. reject. For example, a smart chargerperforming method 400 may be configured to only accept coal-sourcedelectricity to charge an attached mobile device. Acceptability may befurther based on other factors such as time of day (for example,rejecting non-solar sources during the day), consumption patterns (forexample, enforcing a maximum percentage of non-green sourced electricityconsumption), etc.

If the electricity received at operation 402 is determined to originatefrom an “acceptable” source (410 “Yes”), method 400 further includes“accepting” the electricity at operation 412. Operation 412 essentiallyincludes, for example, allowing the received electricity to be used tocharge an attached device, power an attached structure, etc. In someembodiments, operation 412 may include closing one or more electriccircuits. Method 400 may then end at operation 416.

If the electricity received at operation 402 is determined to originatefrom an “unacceptable” source (410 “No”), method 400 further includesrejecting the electricity at operation 414. Operation 414 may include,for example, preventing usage and/or consumption of the receivedelectricity (such as by, for example, utilizing a circuit breakerincluded in a system performing method 400 to open or otherwise breakthe electric circuit). In some embodiments, operation 414 may include“throttling” or otherwise limiting usage of the electricity. In someembodiments, operation 414 may include enforcing a maximum amount ofenergy permitted from the unacceptable source, beyond which the circuitmay be throttled and/or broken. Method 400 may then end at operation416. This may advantageously enable a user to control electricityconsumption based on source of the electricity.

If no source identifier(s) can be identified (404 “No”), method 400 mayindicate that no source identifier(s) could be identified (such as byilluminating a light, pushing a notification to a user's mobile device,emitting a sound, etc.). In some embodiments, lack of a sourceidentifier may result in accepting the electricity at operation 412, andthen ending at operation 416. However, this may depend uponconfiguration of the system performing method 400; in some embodiments,only electricity which is identified as coming from an acceptable sourcemay be accepted, in which case operation 408 may proceed to rejectingthe electricity at operation 414 instead. In essence, method 400 mayoperate on a “blacklist” (as shown in FIG. 4) system, wherein defaultbehavior is to accept the electricity, or on a “whitelist” system(wherein operation 408 may proceed to operation 414), wherein defaultbehavior is to reject electricity unless it is explicitly deemed andidentified as acceptable.

Referring now to FIG. 5, shown is a high-level block diagram of anexample computer system 500 that may be configured to perform variousaspects of the present disclosure, including, for example, methods 200,300 and 400. The example computer system 500 may be used in implementingone or more of the methods or modules, and any related functions oroperations, described herein (e.g., using one or more processor circuitsor computer processors of the computer), in accordance with embodimentsof the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the major components ofthe computer system 500 may comprise one or more CPUs 502, a memorysubsystem 508, a terminal interface 516, a storage interface 518, an I/O(Input/Output) device interface 520, and a network interface 522, all ofwhich may be communicatively coupled, directly or indirectly, forinter-component communication via a memory bus 506, an I/O bus 514, andan I/O bus interface unit 512.

The computer system 500 may contain one or more general-purposeprogrammable central processing units (CPUs) 502, some or all of whichmay include one or more cores 504A, 504B, 504C, and 504D, hereingenerically referred to as the CPU 502. In some embodiments, thecomputer system 500 may contain multiple processors typical of arelatively large system; however, in other embodiments the computersystem 500 may alternatively be a single CPU system. Each CPU 502 mayexecute instructions stored in the memory subsystem 508 on a CPU core504 and may comprise one or more levels of on-board cache.

In some embodiments, the memory subsystem 508 may comprise arandom-access semiconductor memory, storage device, or storage medium(either volatile or non-volatile) for storing data and programs. In someembodiments, the memory subsystem 508 may represent the entire virtualmemory of the computer system 500 and may also include the virtualmemory of other computer systems coupled to the computer system 500 orconnected via a network. The memory subsystem 508 may be conceptually asingle monolithic entity, but, in some embodiments, the memory subsystem508 may be a more complex arrangement, such as a hierarchy of caches andother memory devices. For example, memory may exist in multiple levelsof caches, and these caches may be further divided by function, so thatone cache holds instructions while another holds non-instruction data,which is used by the processor or processors. Memory may be furtherdistributed and associated with different CPUs or sets of CPUs, as isknown in any of various so-called non-uniform memory access (NUMA)computer architectures. In some embodiments, the main memory or memorysubsystem 804 may contain elements for control and flow of memory usedby the CPU 502. This may include a memory controller 510.

Although the memory bus 506 is shown in FIG. 5 as a single bus structureproviding a direct communication path among the CPU 502, the memorysubsystem 508, and the I/O bus interface 512, the memory bus 506 may, insome embodiments, comprise multiple different buses or communicationpaths, which may be arranged in any of various forms, such aspoint-to-point links in hierarchical, star or web configurations,multiple hierarchical buses, parallel and redundant paths, or any otherappropriate type of configuration. Furthermore, while the I/O businterface 512 and the I/O bus 514 are shown as single respective units,the computer system 500 may, in some embodiments, contain multiple I/Obus interface units 512, multiple I/O buses 514, or both. Further, whilemultiple I/O interface units are shown, which separate the I/O bus 514from various communications paths running to the various I/O devices, inother embodiments some or all of the I/O devices may be connecteddirectly to one or more system I/O buses.

In some embodiments, the computer system 500 may be a multi-usermainframe computer system, a single-user system, or a server computer orsimilar device that has little or no direct user interface but receivesrequests from other computer systems (clients). Further, in someembodiments, the computer system 500 may be implemented as a desktopcomputer, portable computer, laptop or notebook computer, tabletcomputer, pocket computer, telephone, smart phone, mobile device, or anyother appropriate type of electronic device.

It is noted that FIG. 5 is intended to depict the representative majorcomponents of an exemplary computer system 500. In some embodiments,however, individual components may have greater or lesser complexitythan as represented in FIG. 5, components other than or in addition tothose shown in FIG. 5 may be present, and the number, type, andconfiguration of such components may vary.

The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computerprogram product at any possible technical detail level of integration.The computer program product may include a computer readable storagemedium (or media) having computer readable program instructions thereonfor causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electric signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present invention may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, configuration data for integrated circuitry, oreither source code or object code written in any combination of one ormore programming languages, including an object oriented programminglanguage such as Smalltalk, C++, or the like, and procedural programminglanguages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programminglanguages. The computer readable program instructions may executeentirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as astand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partlyon a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. Inthe latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user'scomputer through any type of network, including a local area network(LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to anexternal computer (for example, through the Internet using an InternetService Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including,for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gatearrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute thecomputer readable program instructions by utilizing state information ofthe computer readable program instructions to personalize the electroniccircuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a computer, or other programmable data processing apparatusto produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via theprocessor of the computer or other programmable data processingapparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified inthe flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. These computerreadable program instructions may also be stored in a computer readablestorage medium that can direct a computer, a programmable dataprocessing apparatus, and/or other devices to function in a particularmanner, such that the computer readable storage medium havinginstructions stored therein comprises an article of manufactureincluding instructions which implement aspects of the function/actspecified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur out of theorder noted in the Figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be accomplished as one step, executed concurrently,substantially concurrently, in a partially or wholly temporallyoverlapping manner, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in thereverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will alsobe noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchartillustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/orflowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purposehardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts orcarry out combinations of special purpose hardware and computerinstructions.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present disclosurehave been presented for purposes of illustration but are not intended tobe exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the describedembodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to explain theprinciples of the embodiments, the practical application or technicalimprovement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodimentsdisclosed herein.

1. A method, comprising: receiving a first electric current; detecting afirst upstream source identifier embedded in the first electric current;identifying, based on the first upstream source identifier; a firstsource of the first electric current; a second source of the firstelectric current; and a proportion of the first source and the secondsource in the first electric current; determining, based at least on theidentifying, that the first electric current is not acceptable; andindicating, based on the determining, that the first electric current isnot acceptable.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the indicatingincludes controlling, based on the identifying, a state of at least onesource indicator light.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the indicatingincludes causing, based on the identifying, source identity informationto be depicted on a display.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein theindicating includes sending, based on the identifying, a message to auser device.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising rejecting,based on the determining, the first electric current.
 6. The method ofclaim 5, wherein the rejecting includes breaking one or more electriccircuits.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving asecond electric current; detecting a second upstream source identifier;identifying, based on the second upstream source identifier, a thirdsource of the second electric current; determining, based at least onthe identifying, that the second electric current is acceptable; andaccepting, based on the determining, the second electric current.
 8. Asystem, comprising: a memory; and a central processing unit (CPU)including one or more CPU cores, the CPU configured to: detect a firstupstream source identifier embedded in a first electric current;identify, based on the first upstream source identifier: a first sourceof the first electric current; a second source of the first electriccurrent; and a proportion of the first source and the second source inthe first electric current; determine, based at least on theidentifying, that the first electric current is not acceptable; andreject, responsive to the determination, the first electric current. 9.The system of claim 8, wherein the rejecting includes breaking one ormore electric circuits.
 10. The system of claim 8, wherein the rejectingincludes throttling conduction of the first electric current.
 11. Thesystem of claim 8, wherein the first source is a composition of aplurality of sources.
 12. The system of claim 8, wherein the CPU isfurther configured to: receive a second electric current; detect asecond upstream source identifier embedded in the second electriccurrent; identify, based on the second upstream source identifier, athird source of the second electric current; determine, based at leaston the identifying, that the second electric current is acceptable; andaccept, based on the determining, the second electric current.
 13. Thesystem of claim 8, wherein the CPU is further configured to indicate, toan end user and responsive to the determination, that the first electriccurrent is not acceptable.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein theindicating includes controlling, based on the identifying, a state of atleast one source indicator light.
 15. A computer program product, thecomputer program product comprising a computer readable storage mediumhaving program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructionsexecutable by a computer to cause the computer to: receive a firstelectric current; detect a first upstream source identifier embedded inthe first electric current; identify, based on the first upstream sourceidentifier: a first source of the first electric current; a secondsource of the first electric current; and a proportion of the firstsource and the second source in the first electric current; determine,based at least on the identifying, that the first electric current isacceptable; and accept, responsive to the determination, the firstelectric current.
 16. The computer program product of claim 15, whereinthe accepting includes closing one or more electric circuits.
 17. Thesystem of claim 8, wherein the first source is a composition of aplurality of sources.
 18. The computer program product of claim 15,wherein the instructions further cause the computer to: receive a secondelectric current; detect a second upstream source identifier embedded inthe second electric current; identify, based on the second upstreamsource identifier, a third source of the second electric current;determine, based at least on the identifying, that the second electriccurrent is not acceptable; and reject, based on the determining, thesecond electric current.
 19. The computer program product of claim 15,wherein the instructions further cause the computer to indicate, to anend-user and based on the determination, that the first electric currentis acceptable.
 20. The computer program product of claim 19, wherein theindicating includes controlling, based on the identifying, a state of atleast one source indicator light.